Tips for Buying Workout Clothes That Are Actually Good for Working Out

If your New Year's resolution has anything to do with working out, keep this in mind: Cute exercise clothes will make you a million times more motivated to get your butt to the gym. Ugly sweats and dirty T-shirts just won't cut it (neither will mini dresses like the one celeb trainer Kim Lyons is wearing in this pic). So follow our tips and stock up on some sexy spandex:

1. Always try it on—and make sure it fits. You've heard it before: Size is just a number. No one will be looking in the waistband of your pants to see if they're a medium or a large (and you can always cut out the tag!), so find a pair that hugs your body without sagging or causing camel-toe. Some companies like Lululemon even have their own sizing system and tons of size options.

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2. Highlight your best asset. If you've got great legs but feel eh about your abs, pair a sleek pair of leggings with a less-fitted top. If your arms are sculpted but you need help elsewhere, rock a skin-baring racerback tank. You get the idea!

3. Think about the seams, cut and color. If you want to appear slimmer, look for tops with seams that cut in at the waist and pants with seams that hug the sides of your butt. Opt for boot-cut pants to balance out curvy hips. And try color-blocking—not only is it trendy, but colorful side panels make you appear more narrow. Check out these GapFit gFast pants, which come in black with yellow, orange or bright blue.

Bonus: GapFit pants are on sale for $25 through January 16th, and there's an awesome contest going on right now: Text COSMO to 36888 to be entered to win a $500 GapFit gift card and a month of personal training sessions in your hometown.

Is exercise one of your 2012 resolutions? Will you shop for new gear before you start?